Update: Amber and GDR2 for Verizon Nokia Lumia 822 now available

Update 1PM ET: Seems like Nokia is on the ball as Verizon has thrown the switch for the Lumia 822. Go check for your update now: Settings > Phone Update > Check for update. We can also confirm FM Radio and Group text is included.

If you’re on Verizon and waiting for the Amber firmware and GDR2 OS updates for your Nokia Lumia 822, fear not as it should be headed to your device real soon.

Yesterday, Nokia updated their site from "waiting for approval" to "coming soon" and a tipster named WP8addictin our forums noted that indeed, it has been cleared by Verizon yesterday.

What’s more, it may be here as early as Friday, should his information prove to be accurate:

“Yes, GDR2 is coming.....should be OTA to all the 822's on 23rd Friday. Verizon finally waved the green flag (Oops my bad "RED" flag) for L822 Amber to NOKIA today.”

That’s great news for the 822 as that device doesn’t receive nearly as much attention as it should. But at least you now know you won’t be left out of the Amber-GDR2 fun.

Nokia’s Amber update will enable new features like flip to silence, Glance screen and improvements to the camera while Microsoft’s GDR2 update improves performance, fixes the Other storage issue, Data Sense (select devices) and other tidying up of the OS.

In typical fashion, Verizon should release a full changelog highlighting all the new features in the Lumia 822 when it goes live and we’ll be sure to bring that to you when it happens.

Update: Amber and GDR2 for Verizon Nokia Lumia 822 now available

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Just to let everyone know, I have almost no space on my phone (822), and this update took a little over/under 2 hours to install. It stayed on the cogwheels for about 15-30 minutes. So just wait it out.

The "Glance" feature doesn't have any negative impact on battery life. I love the "Peek" option. "Glance is always on while charging, and automatically turn on for about 15 seconds whenever I take my 928 out of my pocket. Hovering your hand over the screen to activate "Glance" is also a plus!

It's technically a different update because every device is different... So every device is subject to have it's own issues... They aren't trying to punish anyone,, it will be ready when att see's fit..

Ya. I'm ok waiting, but everytime I see a number on wpcentral tile I open it up hoping only to read about the att 920 update rolling out. I must admit I probably haven't read many articles because of the disappointment.

There's no delay... att has a time planned for the 920... They probably made it last just to see if other devices come up with issues.. The 920 is the most widespread WP Device in the US, and nobody wants a big media blitz about how Microkia can't get updates right.. Especially with WP's previous update history... Just sit back, be patient, and wait.. The update will come soon enough... And, everyone stop making comments about att... At least they've stuck by WP from the beginning.. That's more than you can say for a lot if WP partners.

What I don't understand is the iPhones and iPads that are on these carrier companies get their updates the same day the updates are released and WP8 and Android do not. Somehow all the iPhones and iPads don't get bricked.

Agreed. It is a pitty considering that so many other 920 owners globally are getting their GDR2+Amber but I'm sure there is a good reason AT&T is taking the time to make sure that all the updates go without a hitch and have the best experience. I am one of the impatient ones as the new features are very exciting but it is all worth the wait. Everything comes in time and good comes to those who wait. I'm really excited checking all day every day and it will be like a little kid at Christmas when the update launches!
I couldn't agree more with you about AT&T standing by Windows Phone from the beginning. I remember years ago being stuck on Verizon with my BB Storm 2 (absolute pile of crap). They promised me that BB OS 6 would be coming out for the device adding features and speeding things up. Well, Verizon was "testing" the software for release and last minute they decided to cancel the release screwing all Storm 2 owners. Well I stayed patient waiting for the only WP7 at the time on Verizon, the HTC Trophy. I remember going to their retail stores asking about the phone, I remember they treated me like a fool and acted like they'd never heard of the phone or most of the time even Windows Phone. I remember paying full price for a HTC Trophy over the phone because I couldn't tollerate the retail clerks arrogance and ineptitude. I'd stuck with the phone for quite some time waiting for new releases on the Verizon network. After getting absolutely livid over their lack of support and product line and seeing AT&T getting all the new Nokia's especially had me thinking. They had finally set up 4G LTE in the SF Bay Area which was the final nail in the coufin. I went with my mother who also had Verizon and was sick of their horrible customer support and high prices. We ditched Verizon and went to AT&T and picked up a pair of Nokia Lumia 900's. Eventually we got them for free by Nokia discounts. I have an awesome plan, priced right and my speeds are incredible everywhere I go. I recently went in and picked up the 920 and renewed my crontract. I've been very happy with the phone and the service. I can wait a few extra days for my update as I know my provider is top notch. Also good to know that AT&T will help you renew your contracts on a yearly basis now as well, better than waiting two years on Verizon. Still cant beat T-Mobile with renewing anytime but close enough for me. Verizon of all carriers I would have to say blows the hardest when it comes to support and line up. They are Googles b1tch IMHO. They do go hand in hand with privacy violations. Google has been the leader in screwing people and Verizon was next in line. AT&T and Microsoft aren't perfect but aren't so well known for screwing their customers on privacy.

Well, I have been with att for years, really back in the Cingular days,, and I have had Zero problems.. They are a bit pricey, but you get when you pay for.. Just because att has bad service in some areas doesn't mean that they suck either.. I live in DallasFortWorth and the reception is flawless,, without exaggeration.. In Granbury, TX everyone has to use att because Verizon just doesn't work, and Verizon is more know for working in rural areas... Just because a carrier doesn't work well in your area doesn't mean they suck, and WP would have gone the way of the kin phone if it weren't for att hanging in there..

Oh, just like ATT got the last update a full MONTH before anywhere else in the entire world? Why do ATT customers seem to have this ridiculous sense of entitlement over everyone else? Just be patient. It'll come eventually.

Well since it was the first released windows phone and being a flagship as well as exclusive you'd think they'd push instead u let your competition trump u in getting the update and halo exclusive first makes u wonder why u got it

I can see that point and respect it; but so far the updates seem to be kind of random. Some T-MO, some VZW, some ATT, some HTC, some Nokia, etc.
I am just ready to see if it will clean up enough of my memory of if I will have to do another factory reset.

Definitely. I have single handedly convinced several friends to make the jump to WP8. Right now I'm the only one still waiting for GDR2. All the waiting is starting to make me feel the GD in GDR2 actually stands for something else...

No change to Other Storage?
I am a diehard fan but more than anything this makes me want to move to a different OS. I am factory resetting my phone every 30 - 60 days just to keep it working. I am over 7GB of Other Storage (that's 50% of my usable space).
I want to stay with WP but I really can't justify it if there are major issues like this.

I know; I am normally one of the ones defending WP but after 8 months using WP8 I am really upset about the Other Storage issue. No matter what I delete it never goes down. I just want to be able to use my phone!

I'm not gonna go head over heals about the other storage issue. Honestly when you buy product, you should know where you stand with it. I regret purchasing two 8gig 8x over two 920s at the same price! Little storage and minimal support. GDR2, meh! Amber, yes!!!!! With these new updates, I look forward to new features. Nokia has that support. Bottom line, get yourself a Nokia, not drop WP. Same price, better support, and more features. Note: not advocating Nokia, only comparing cons and benefits.

My 822 was up against the wall with around 100MB or less. After the Amber update, I opened Storage Checker and waited for it to look over all the files. When done it said I had 6.9GB of temp files and the "clear" button was available. I clicked that and it cleaned out all but about 150MB. That's nearly 7 gigs of storage returned. Simply installing the update won't clear out you "other" storage...you have to go in and force it.

I wouldn't be surprised if AT&T launches around the same time. They seem to have very similar ROMs and networks so I'd see these launching around the same time. Don't be surprised if it shows coming soon for AT&T in the next 3 days.

Yeah Daniel come on...where's that story on the update availability in Burundi, man? Get on it!
Not picking on you folks in India, but the link has been mentioned several times, in articles and in comments.
Still, no love for Burundi.

Not to make light of whatever you may or may not have going on in your life right now, but you seem like you could really use a vacation! Yipes! Until then, maybe it would be best to ignore any post that has your name in it. Just a friendly suggestion.

Understood and completely agree. However, a Nokia Lumia device accompanied by the WPCentral app is quite addictive. There was a point in time when I would check WPC about twice a day. Now it's the focal point of my home screen. "More News! More Windows Phone News!"

Technically, its Nokias job to include it in the software. Verizon could remove it if they want, but as the 928 is exclusive well never know what Nokia intended (another reason why exclusives shouldn't exist)

In the discussions of "Amber", the only phone I believe that was mentioned as not a having a FM tuner was the 620 (I could be wrong). The 822 nor the 928 we noted as not having the FM tuner, so I assume they both do? In making both of these phones, Verizon could have told Nokia to not put the FM tuner in at all, but it appears that they didn't do that. So if these phones have them, maybe there is some other technical issue with the 928 that Verizon couldn't overcome at this point, or they would rather we use our limited data. Regardless of the data usage, if I want to listen to the radio on my commute (train or bus) into NYC, cell service can be spotty at times, plus anything you listen to is delayed by a minute or so using an app. It would be nice to have the FM tuner as an option.

I am wondering the same thing. If the 822 (and 928 for that matter) has the FM tuner, then why wouldn't they enable it? One answer could be that they would rather we stream radio using an app and use our data. I hope we get it. It is certainly a nice to have feature.

Looks like we will find out sooner than later! I see the update on my phone!!! However, I am travelling on business until Thursday night and can't afford to have the update go wrong! I will have to wait until Friday anyway.

The guys that authorizing it probably is out of the office because his wife forced him to take paid paternity leave for 6 weeks. Brian if you do Not stay home with me.......but but hun I have this really important update to push out at work....okay okay I'll go to HR today and submit the request... And of course no one in HR has the 920.....

The at&tguy thats authorizing the update probably is out of the office because his wife forced him to take paid paternity leave for 6 weeks. Brian if you do Not stay home with me.......but but hun I have this really important update to push out at work....okay okay I'll go to HR today and submit the request... And of course no one in HR has the 920.....

If at&t 920 users received the update and fell in love with it.....by word of mouth, telling friends and family to get the 920, it could possibly hamper sales of the 1020! It's delay could be for a reason...

I understand that. I was just letting people know some could have gotten it yesterday. Lol. Shows the importance of checking once a day. I still don't know how coming soon actually meant available for some now.

It doesn't have the FM tuner hardware, for whatever reason. If it makes you feel better, it appears that the 928 on Verizon doesn't have the FM tuner hardware either. That was likely Verizon decision, not because of any limitation of the phone itself.

Really want my update for my 920 but odds are datasense is what is taking it so long. AT&T has to do more testing with it and male sure it works on the network. Verizon already had datasense so less testing.

I couldn't wait for the Amber update to reach my region. I live in Guyana so I am automatically grouped with Brazil. They don't seem to be releasing the update anytime soon so i flashed my factory unlocked lumia 820. That was the best decision i have ever made. the best part is that when you back up your app list before flashing it, It doesn't take that long to get back your apps , even those that you paid for already. I would say i didn't have any risks flashing it just a bunch of rewards like :
-better camera performance : sharper images
- better battery life : i believe i get an hour to 2 hours more with glance off and double tap to wake on. With glance on (timed mode) i get about 30 mins extra.
- some other benefits like faster load times for apps and the touch sensitivity seems to react better without having to put it on high.
All in all this Amber update is awesome